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158 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
from necessity, we do not pretend to know. The bachelor respected his sisters
very much, although in his freaks he called the one Sodm and the other
Gomorrah.
Like most of his contemporary lords of the quill, Macpherson possessed many
‘‘ social qualities ;” but he quaffed so deeply and so long, that towards night
he seldom found his way up the High Street in a state short of total inebriety.
On arriving at the West Bow, and when he came to the bottom of the stair, he
used to bellow to Sodom or Gomorrah to come down and help up their
drunken bother, which they never failed to do ; and, for additional security in
such cases, it is said he generally ascended the stair 6ackwaTds.
Notwithstanding his potations, Macpherson maintained for some time a
degree of respectability, at least, consistent with the laxity of the times. When
associating with the more respectable ban wivants of these his better days, his
favourite saying, before tossing off his glass of claret, of which he was very fond,
used to be, “Here goes another peck of potatoes.”’ Macpherson at length
became, we regret to say, a habitual drunkard. A loss of respectability in his
profession was the consequence ; and from the practice which he followed of
signing Signet letters for very small sums of money, and other low habits of
business, inconsistent with the dignity of the Society, his professional brethren
at last urged him to retire upon an annuity, This, however, his pride would
never allow him to consent to ; and he continued a member of the Society of
Writers to the Signet till the day of his death.
No case, however trifling-no client, however poor or disreputable, was
latterly beneath the legal aid of Macpherson; and no mode of payment, whether
in goods or currency, was deemed unworthy of acceptance. As an instance of his
practice, he was seen one day very tipsy, plodding his way up the West Bow
from the Grassmarket, with an armful of “ neeps ” (turnips), which he had
obtained from some green-stall keeper, in remuneration for legal services performed.
Not being able to maintain a proper equilibrium, his occasional
“bickers” at last unsettled ,his burthen ; one or two of the turnips, like
Newton’s apple, found the centre of gravity, and in attempting to recover
these, nearly the whole of his armful trundled down the causeway. Macpherson,
determined not to lose what might otherwise contribute much to a favourite
dinner, coolly, and as steadily as possible, set about collecting the turnips,
and actually succeeded, to the astonishment of every one, in accomplishing his
object. On arriving with his load at the accustomed stair-foot, he shouted, as
usual, for Sodom and Gomorrah to render assistance ; and by their aid he and
his cargo eventually reached his apartments in safety.
There is another amusing anecdote told of this decayed, but still independent,
lawyer. The Governor of Edinburgh Castle had been in want of a respectable
cook, and applied to Mr. Creech, the bookseller, to do what he could to procure
one. Creech having found some difficulty in fulfilling the commission, felt
The origin of this saying is
attributed to Mr. Creech, bookseller, but afterwards became a standing remark with Macpherson.
1 A glass of claret was then equal in price to a peck of potatoes.

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. from necessity, we do not pretend to know. The bachelor respected his sisters very ...

Book 8 p. 223
(Score 0.37)

Holyrood.? JAMES IV. 61
whose contract is still preserved in the city archives.
A minute account of her reception at Edinburgh
has been preserved by one of her attendants,
John Young, the Somerset Herald, who records in
a pleasing light the wealth, refinement, and chivalry
of the court of Scotland. The king met his fair
bride, who was then in her fourteenth year, at
Dalkeith, where she was entertained by John
Earl of Morton. She had scarcely taken possession
af her chamber when the tramp of horses was
heard in the quadrangle, and among the English
using a stirrup, and spurred on at full gallop, leaving
who might to follow ; but hearing that the Earl of
Surley-his future foe-and other nobles were be
hind, he returned and saluted them bareheaded.
At their next meeting Margaret played also on the
lute and clavichord, while the monarch listened
with bended knee and head uncovered. Who,
then, could have foreseen- the disastrous day of
Flodden !
When she left Newbattle to proceed to the capital,
James, attired in a splendid costume, met her on
t 6
ISOMETRIC PROJECTION CIF THE ROYAL PALACE OF HOLYROOD HOUSE.
(Fmnz am Engraaifig in Maitkwds ?Hntory of Edinburglr.?)
attendants the cry rang through the castle, (? The
,king ! The King of Scotland has arrived !?
The whole interview between the royal pair, as
rdescribed by the Somerset Herald, presents a
?curious picture of the times. (( James was dressed
.simply in a velvet jacket, with his hawking lure
.flung over his shoulder ; his hair and beard curled
naturally, and were rather long. . . . . . .
He took her hand and kissed her, and saluted all
her ladies by kissing them. Then the king took
the queen aside, and they communed together for
a long space.? He then returned to Holyrood.
Next night he visited her at Newbattle, when he
found her playing cards ; and James, who is said
to have composed the air of ?Here?s a health
to my true love,? entertained her by a performance
on the clavichord and lute ; add on taking leave he
sprang on his horse, ? a right fair courser,? without
a bay horse trapped with gold. Before him rode
Bothwell, bearing the sword of state, with the
leading nobles. He took the queen from ?her
litre,? and placing her behind him on a pillion,
they rode onward to the city. On the way they
were entertained by a scene of chivalry-a knight
errant in full armour rescuing a distressed lady
from a rival. The royal pair were met at their
entrance by the Grey Friars, whose monastery they
had to pass, bearing, in solemn procession, banner
and cross and their most valued relics, which were
presented to receive the kiss of Margaret and
James ; and thereafter they had to tarry at an embattled
barrier, at the windows of which were
(( angells syning joyously,? one of whom presented
to her the keys of the? city.
Descending the crowded streets, they were met
by the whole Chapter of St. Giles?s in their richest

... JAMES IV. 61 whose contract is still preserved in the city archives. A minute account of her reception ...

Book 3 p. 61
(Score 0.37)

32 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH,
of the Scottish army from the capital, though familiar to many, are too intimately associated
with our local history to be omitted here. The King had already been warned against the
war, by an apparition of St John, at Linlithgow; “yet this but hasted him fast to Edinburgh,
to make him ready, and to make provision for himself and his army against the day
appointed. That is, he had seven great cannons out of the Castle of Edinburgh, called
the Seven Sisters, casten by Robert Borthwik, the master-gunner ; furnished with powder
and lead to them at their pleasure; and in the meantime, they were taking out the artillery,
the King himself being in the Abbey, there was a cry heard at the Market-cross of Edinburgh,
about midnight, proclaiming, as it had been, a Bummons, which was called by the
proclaimer thereof the summon of Plotcok,’ desiring all earls, lords, barons, gentlemen,
and sundry burgesses within the town, to compear before his master within forty days ; and
so many as were called, were designed by their own names. But whether this summons
was proclaimed by vain persons, night walkers, for their pastime, or if it was a spirit, I
cannot tell. But an indweller in the town, called Mr Richard Lawsoun, being evil disposed,
ganging in his gallery-stair, foment the Cross, hearing this voice, thought marvel
what it should be : So he cried for his servant to bring him his purse, and took a crown
and cast it over the stair, saying, ‘ I, for my part, appeal from your summons and judgment,
and take me to the mercy of God.’ Verily, he who caused me chronicle this, was
a sufficient landed gentleman, who was in the town in the meantime, and was then twenty
years of age ; and he swore after the field there was not a man that was calledat that time
that escaped, except that one man, that appealed from their judgment.”* But neither this,
nor the entreaties of his Queen, who urged that ‘(she had but one son to him, quilk was
over weak ane warrand to the realme of Scotland!” could turn back the King from his
rash purpose. In defiance, as it seemed, alike of earth and heaven, the gallant, but headstrong
and devoted Monarch led forth the flower of Scottish chivalry to perish with him on
the bloody field of Flodden. The body of the King having fallen, as is understood, into
the hands of the victors, he was believed by many to have gone on his intended pilgrimage
to the Holy Land; and popular tradition continued long after to regard him as another
King Arthur, or Sebastian, who was yet to return in the hour of danger, and right the
nation’s wrongs.
We shall close this chapter with a curious, and we believe unique fragment of a ballad,
embodying this tradition, with other more local and apposite allusions.
An about the mids 0’ the night.
He crap to the field 0’ the bluid ;
Laigh he bowit an dour he lookit,
Eut never a worde he spak.’
He turned the dead knight round about,
Till the moon shon on his bree ;
But hia Both wm tined wit a bluidy gash,
Drumbelee grew his ee.
1 Pluto. Pitscottie, vol. i. p. 266. Probably should be “said”

... MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH, of the Scottish army from the capital, though familiar to many, are too intimately ...

Book 10 p. 34
(Score 0.37)

312 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
the source of much wealth; and, by his judicious management, he otherwise
greatly enhanced the value of his estate.
Sir Archibald took an active hand in superintending his numerous colliers
and salters. They were a rough, uncultivated set of people; and, like most
workmen in similar emplogments, not very deeply impressed with proper
notions of subordination. He had his own system of management, however ;
and, although not strictly in accordance with the principles of constitutional
government, it proved not less efficacious than it was summary in its application.
He required no sheriff or justice courts to settle matters of dispute. Armed
with his jockey-whip, Sir Archibald united in his own person all the functionaries
of justice ; and, wherever his presence was required, he was instantly on the
spot. On several occasions, when, by the example and advice of neighbouring
works, his men were in mutiny, he has been known to go down to the pits, and,
with whip in hand, lay about him, right and left, until order was restored.
The work would then go on as formerly-the men as cheerful and compliant as
if nothing untoward had occurred. Upon the whole, his people were happy and
contented; and although the means which he took to enforce obedience were
somewhat arbitrary, his subjects felt little inclination to object to them.
Although much of his time was thus devoted to his own affairs, public
matters of local interest received a due share of his attention; and on every
occasion of a patriotic or charitable nature he stepped nobly forward with his
counsel and assistance.
Sir Archibald resided chiefly at Pinkie House,' where he maintained the
genuine hospitality of the olden times, and kept such an establishment of
" neighing steeds " and " deep-mouthed hounds " as at once declared the owner
to be, in sentiment, one of those doughty "squires of old" whose masculine
ideas of enjoyment were widely at variance with the effeminacy attributed to
the luxurious landholders of more modern times.
As might be anticipated from his character, Sir Archibald was a member of
the Caledonian Hunt-a body of Scottish gentlemen well known to be somewhat
exclusive in the admission of members. Of this honourable club he held the
high distinction of President in 1789, at which period the etching of the
" Knight of the Turf " was executed.
Sir Archibald married, in 1758, Elizabeth, daughter of William M'Dowall,
Esq. of Castle Semple, by whom he had two sons and five daughters. On the
death of this lady in 1778, he married (the year following) Elizabeth, daughter
of John Patoun, Esq.-a gentleman whose name was originally Paton; but
who, having gone abroad in his youth, and amassed a large fortune, on his return
to his native country changed the spelling of it to Patmr The issue of this
second marriage were three sons and one daughter.
In former times the seat of the Earls of Dnnfermline-a branch of the Setons, who had large
possessions in the east country, which were forfeited by the attainder of the last Earl of Wintonthe
chief of the family-for his accession to the Rebellion in 1715.

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. the source of much wealth; and, by his judicious management, he otherwise greatly ...

Book 8 p. 437
(Score 0.36)

CONTENTS.
- --
CHAPTER I
THE KIRK OF ST. MARY-IN-THE-FIELDS.
YhCD
Memorabilia of the Edifice-Its Age-Altars-Made Collegiate-The Prebendal Buildings-Ruined-The House of the KW-of Field-The
Murder of Darnley-Robert Balfour, the Last Pmvost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . I
CHAPTER 11.
T H E UNIVERSITY.
A n ~ l s of the Old Co:lege-Chartem of Queen Mary and James VI.-OM College described-The lirst Regems-King Jdmes?s Letter of
1617-Quarrel with Town Council-Students? IZlot in 1 6 b T h e Principal Dismissed-Abolished Offices-Dissection for the first
time-Quarrel with the Town Council-The Museum-The Greek Chair-System of Education introduced by Principal Rollock-The
Early Mode of Education-A Change in r7jo-The Old Hours of Attendance-The Silver Mace-The Projects of 1763 and 1789 for a
New College-The Foundation laid-Completion of the New College-Its Corporatiop after ~8~&-Pnnapal.-Chairs, and First
Holders thereof-Afew Notable Bequests-Income-The Library-The Museums . . . , . . . . . . . 8
CHAPTEK 111.
THE DISTRICT OF THE BURGHMUIR.
The Muster by James 111.-Eurghmuir feued by James 1V.-Muster before Flodden-Relics thereof-The Pest--The Skirmish of Lowsie
Low-A Duel in 17zz-Valleyfreld House and Lmen Lodge-Barclay Free Church-Bruntsfield Links and the Golf Clubs . . . 27
CHAPTER IV.
DISTRICT OF THE BURGHMUIR (concZrr&d).
Morningside and Tipperlin-Provost Coulter?s Funeral-Asylum for the Insane-Sultana of the Crimea4ld Thorn Tree-The Braids of that
Ilk-The FairleF of Braid-The Plew Lands-Craiglockhart Hall and House-The Kincaib and other Proprieto-John Hill Burton-
The Old Tower-Meggatland and Redhan-White House Loan-The White House-St. Margaret?s Convent-Bruntsfield House-The
Warrenders-Greenhill and the Fairholm-Memorials of the Chapel of SL Roque-St. Giles?s Grange-The Dicks and Lauders-
Grange Cemetery-Memorial Churches , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:
CHAPTER V.
THE DISTRICT OF NEWINGTON.
The Causewayside-Summerhall-Clerk Street Chapel and other Churches-Literary Institute-Mayfield Loan-Old Houses-Fre Church-
The Powbnrn-Fernde Blind Asylum-Chapel of St. John the Baptist-Dominican Convent at the Sciennes-Scienns Hill House-Scott
and Burns meet-New Trades Maiden Hospital-Hospital for Incurables-Pratonfield House--The Hamiltons and Dick-Cunninghams
--Cemetery at Echo Bnnk-lhe Lands of Gmemn-Craigmillar-Dption of the Castle- James V., Queen Mary, and Damlev.
wraentthere-QueenMary?sTree--ThePrestonsandGilmours-PeBerMillHo~~.

... -- CHAPTER I THE KIRK OF ST. MARY-IN-THE-FIELDS. YhCD Memorabilia of the Edifice-Its ...

Book 6 p. 393
(Score 0.36)

98 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
block of stone, for the purpose of erecting a colossal statue of his Highness in the Parliament
Square.
The block had just been landed on the shore of Leith, when the news arrived of Cromwell’s
death. Monk altered his policy, and the magistrates not only found it convenient to
forget their first intention, but with politic pliability, some years after, they erected the fine
equestrian statue of Charles II., which still adorns that locality. The rejected block lay
neglected on the sands at Leith, though all along known by the title of Oliver Cromwell,
till, in November 1788, Mr Walter ROSSt,h e well-known antiquary, had it removed, with
no little difficulty, to the rising ground where Ann Street now stands, nearly opposite St
Bernard’s Well. The block was about eight feet high, intended apparently for the upper
half of the f i p e . The workmen of the quarry had prepared it for the chisel of the statuary,
by giving it, with the hammer, the shape of a monstrous mummy, and there stood the
Protector, like a giant in his shroud, frowning upon the city; until after the death of
Mr Ross, his curious collection of antiquities was scattered, and the ground feued for
building.‘
General Monk, commander-in-chief of the army in Scotland, having resolved, after the
death of Cromwell, to accomplish the restoration of Charles II., proceeded to arrange matters
previous to his march for London. He summoned a meeting of commissioners of the
counties and boroughs to assemble at Edinburgh on the 15th of November 1659; and after
having communicated his instructions to them, and ,received a special address of thanks
from the magistrates of Edinburgh for his many services rendered to the city during his
residence in Scotland, he returned to England to put his purpose in force.
On the 11th of May, in the following year, the magistrates sent the town-clerk to the
King, at Breda, to express their joy at the prospect of his restoration. The messenger
paved the way to the royal favour by the humble presentation of ‘‘a poor myte of 31000,
which the King did graciously accept, as though it had been a greater business I ”
The ‘‘ happy restoration ” was celebrated in Edinburgh with the customary civic rejoicings,
bonfires, banquets, ringing of bells, and firing of cannon ; though some difficulty was
experienced in reconciling the soldiers to the unwonted task of firing the Castle guns on
such an occasion of national rejoicing.a There was much wine spent on the occasion, ‘ I the
spoutes of the Croce ryning and venting out abundance of wyne, and the Magistrates and
Council of the town drinking the King’s health, and breaking numbers of glasses I ”
Caledonian Mercury, Nov. 10, 1788. The block was afterwards replaced at the end of Ann Street, overhanging
the bed of the Water of Leith, and, either by accident or designedly, waa shortly afterwards precipitated down the steep
bank, and broken in pieces. a Nicol‘s Diary, p. 283.
I

... MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH. block of stone, for the purpose of erecting a colossal statue of his Highness in the ...

Book 10 p. 107
(Score 0.36)

MUSSELBURGH. I21
spreading away into fertile downs, green wavy links, and sandy shingly beach,
while the southern portion, on the contrary, gently rises, swelling up into a
somewhat elongated mount -of rich arable land, on which the church,
surrounded by its beautiful and well-kept graveyard, stands forth a conspicuous
object, and seen from far and near. From this elevation, though little more
than fifty feet above the-level of the sea, one of the most extensive and
interesting views of the district is to be had: the fine bay of Musselburgh
opening out into the Forth, dotted with many a sail, with the shores of Fife
and the Lomonds in the distance: Edinburgh on the west with its noble
castle, censor-like, looking down with calm, grave countenance upon all the
bustle and roar, joy and sorrow, beauty and deformity, virtue and vice,
learning and ignorance, congregated around it : Arthur’s Seat, in its lion-like
repose, raising its huge back to the heavens, clothed with the freshness of
May’s green month, and basking with evident pleasure its rocky flanks in the
genial radiance of an unclouded sun, overlooking Leith with its numerous
shipping and busy active population, and Portobello with its half-aristocratic
and half-working-man’s dress, dreamily resting at its feet : while away to the
south and east, extends the verdant vale of the Esk, with its green fields,
thickly wooded plantations, and silvery thread of shining waters-here and
there flashing back through the dense foliage the briglit fierce rays of the
burning splendour overhead-gradually expanding, and rising up into, and
forming the pretty, but sadly historic hills of Carberry and Falside.
This mount, however, is celebrated for other and it may be more important
things than the interesting ‘and extensive view to be had from it. History
relates that the Romans, while in the province of Yuleniia, had a station here,
and repeated discoveries point to this place as the spot where the preforium
was reared : for example, a cave with an altar on which was the inscription,
APPOLINIG RANNOQ, UINTULSU CIUSL ABINIANUPSR OCONSAUULG USTvIo, fum
suscpptum soZvit, Zubens mento, was found in April of the year 1565 ; in January
1783, again, a Roman bath of two rooms, a most interesting relic, was uncovered,
which is very fully described by the Rev. Dr. Carlyle, then minister
of the parish, in the Staflj.tzid Account: two medals were also discovered
about the same time and in the same place-the one of gold, very much
defaced, is supposed to be of Trajan,-the other of copper, very fresh and
entire, bears the inscription, Diva Fausfirm : besides these there are traditions,
of a very authoritative character, to the effect that in digging the foundations
of certain houses in Fisherrow similar ruins of Hypocuusta have been struck,
the material and construction of which affording no feeble proof that this
Q

... I21 spreading away into fertile downs, green wavy links, and sandy shingly beach, while the southern ...

Book 11 p. 176
(Score 0.36)

104 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Cahoa Hill.
on their return from the Army of Occupation in
France, under Colonel Wallace.
One of the last feasts of St. Crispin was held in
the Calton Convening Rooms, in 1820, when six
hundred of the ancient Corporation of Cordiners,
bearing St. Crispin with regal pomp, marched from
Holyrood. ?On reaching the Cross,?says the Week0
Journal for that year, ? it was found impossible to
proceed farther, from the mass of people collected ;
the procession therefore filed off into the Royal
Exchange, until a guard of the 13th Foot arrived
from the Castle ; then it proceeded along the
mound to the New Town.? It is added that fortyfour
years had elapsed since the last procession of
the kind.
The same paper, in 1828, records :hat a mighty
ing of the Regent Bridge, the foundation stone of
which was laid in 1815, forming a magnificent
entrance to the New Town from the east. The arch
is fifty feet wide, and about the same in height,
having on the top of the side ledges, arches, and
ornamental pillars, connected with the houses in
Waterloo Place. The whole was finished in 1819,
and formally opened on the visit of Prince Leopold,
afterwards King of Belgium j but the bridge must
have been open for traffic two years before, as it was
crossed by the 88th Connaught Rangers, in 1817,
15,000 men, and about the date above mentioned,
Earl Grey entered the city amid a vast concourse
of admirers. He was presented with the freedom
of the city in a gold box, and was afterwards entertained
at a public banquet, in a pavilion erected
for the occasion, 113 feet long by IDI broad. in
the eastern compartment of the High School on
the south side of the Calton Hill. Archibald,
Earl of Rosebery, K.T., in absence of the Duke
of Hamilton, occupied the chair.
On the north-west shoulder of the hill is the
old observatory, a rough, round-buttressed tower,
three storeys in height. The scheme for the
erection of a building of this kind was first projected
in 1736, but the local commotions occasioned
by the Porteous mob caused it to be relinquished
mass of rock, fully fifty tons in weight, fell from
under Nelson?s monument with a great crash from
a height of twentyfive feet, and carrying all before
it, rolled on the roadway below.
On the 15th September, 1834, there occurred the
only local event of interest since the visit of
George 1V.-the Grey banquet. A great portion
of the citizens had signalised themselves in their
zeal for the Reform Bill, the passing of which, in
August, 1832, they celebrated by a grand procession
of the trades, amounting to more than
NELSON?S MONUMENT, CALTON HILL, FROM PRINCES STREET. (Fwm a Dmwiwby A. Kaswytfi, pnbliskd in 18a6.)

... OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Cahoa Hill. on their return from the Army of Occupation in France, under Colonel ...

Book 3 p. 104
(Score 0.36)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 327
his troops, and the place was speedily retaken. Ever since the Cape has
remained in possession of Britain.
General Dundas wasappointed Governor of Dumbarton Castle in 1819. He
died at his house in Shandwick Place, Edinburgh, on the 4th of January 1824,
after a long and painful illness, “which he supported with the patience of a
Christian, and the fortitude of a soldier.”
The next of the military figures, with the volunteer cap and feather, in the
centre of the Promenade, is SIX HENRY JARDINE. His father, the
Rev. Dr. John Jardine-who died in 1766, aged fifty-one, and in the twentyfifth
year of his ministry-was one of the ministers of Edinburgh, one of the
Deans of the Chapel-Royal, and Dean of the Order of the Thistle. His mother
was a daughter of Provost Drummond, of whose patriotic exertions for the
city of Edinburgh, the New Town and the Royal Infirmary are honourable
memorials. Sir Henry was brought up to the profession of the law, and passed
a Writer to the Signet in 1790. He was appointed golicitor of Taxes for
Scotland in 1793 ; Depute King’s Remembrancer in the Exchequer in 1802 ;
and King’s Remembrancer in 1820, which latter office he held till the total
change of the Court of Exchequer in Scotland in 1831. He was knighted by
George the Fourth in 1825.
Sir Henry was the original Secretary to the Committee for raising the Royal
Edinburgh Volunteers in 1794, of which corps he was appointed a Lieutenant
on the 20th October of the same year; a Captain in 1799 ; and Major in
March 1801. He was the last individual alive enumerated in the original list of
officers ; and he was one of three trustees for managing the fund remaining, after
the Volunteers were disbanded, for behoof of any member of the corps in distress.
Sir Henry Jardine was long conspicuous as a public-spirited citizen, there
being few institutions for the promotion of any useful or national object
of which he was not a member. In the lists of the year 1838 his
name appeared as one of the Councillors of the Royal Society of Edinburgh;
one of the Vice-Presidents of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland;
one of the Extraordinary Directors of the Royal Institution for the
Encouragement of the Fine Arts,; one:of the Ordinary Directors of the Scottish
Naval and Military Academy; one of the Brigadier-Generals of the Royal
Company of Archers ; one of the Councillors of the Skating Club ; one of the
Directors of the Assembly Rooms, George Street ; and one of the Sub-Committee
of Directors of the Royal Association of Contributors to the National Monument.
He was also one of the Ordinary Directors of the Bank of Scotland ; one of the
”rustees for the Encouragement of Scottish Manufactures ; one of the Trustees
for Promoting the British White Herring Fishery j and one of the Vice-Presidents
of the Caledonian Horticultural Society.
With the charitable and humane institutions of the city the name of Sir
Henry was not less extensively associated. He was one of the Managers of the
Orphan Hospital; one of the Auditors of the Society of the Industrious

... SKETCHES. 327 his troops, and the place was speedily retaken. Ever since the Cape has remained in ...

Book 9 p. 436
(Score 0.36)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 39
far as to profess infidelity, but I was a more inconsistent character. I said I
believed a book to be a revelation from God, while I treated it with the greatest
neglect, living in direct opposition to all its precepts, and seldom taking the
trouble to look into it, or, if I did, it was to perform a task-a kind of
atonement for my sins. I went on in this course till, while the Melville Castle
was detained at the Motherbank by contrary winds, and having abundance of
leisure time for reflection, I began to think I would pay a little more attention
to this book. The more I read it, the more worthy it appeared of God ; and,
after examining the evidences with which Christianity is supported, I became
fully persuaded of its truth,” Instead of being careless and indifferent about
religion, he now came to see its great importance; and he determined to be
content with his own and his wife’s fortune, and to quit the pursuit of superfluous
wealth. After he adopted this resolution, it appeared difficult to
accomplish the necessary arrangements for resigning the command before the
sailing of the East India fleet. The fleet, which had already been long delayed
by contrary winds, was however detained for several weeks longer, and a
gentleman was in the meantime found, properly qualified by his service, and
also able to advance the money which was in those days necessary to purchase
the transfer of so lucrative an appointment.
Nothing was further from Mr. Haldane’s purpose at this time than to become
a preacher. It was his intention to purchase an estate, and lead the quiet life
of a count,ry gentleman. But, while residing in Edinburgh, he became acquainted
with the late excellent Mr. Black, minister of Lady Yester’s, and Dr. Buchanan,
of the Canongate Church, and others, through whom he was introduced to
several pious men actively engaged in schemes of usefulness. His enterprising
mind gradually became interested in their plans ; and he was further stimulated
to engage in preaching by the visit of the celebrated Mr. Simeon, of King’s
College, Cambridge, whom he accompanied in a tour from Edinburgh through a
considerable part of the Highlands of Perthshire.
Shortly afterwards, his brother, Mr. Robert Haldane, determined to sell his
estates, and to devote his life and property to the diffusion of the gospel in India.
With this view, having sold to the late Sir Robert Abercroinby his beautiful
and romantic estate of Airthrey, he applied to the East India Company for permission
to go to Bengal with three clergymen, the Rev. Mr. Innes,’ then of
Stirling, the Rev. Dr. Bogue, of Gosport, and Mr. Greville Ewing, then assistant
minister at Lady Glenorchy’s Church, Edinburgh. Mr. Haldane was to have
defrayed all the charges of this mission, and was also bound to pay to each of
his associates the sum of S3000, and their passage home, in case they chose to
return. This benevolent design was frustrated by the refusal of the East India
Company to grant their sanction to a plan, the magnitude of which excited their
alarm ; and both Mr. Haldane and his brother therefore resolved to devote themselves
to the preaching of the gospel at home.
Late pastor of the Baptist denomination, Edinburgh.

... SKETCHES. 39 far as to profess infidelity, but I was a more inconsistent character. I said ...

Book 9 p. 52
(Score 0.36)

460 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
most undue magnitude in public contemplation, and excited every variety of
sentiment and feeling, but which has nom long passed away from general interest
and view. We allude to the Apocrypha Controversy, and the much-deplored
and unseemly contest on matters connected with that painful discussion, between
Dr. Andrew Thomson and Mr. Henry Grey. Much misapprehension, grievous
misrepresentation, prevailed, both on the subject matter of that controversy, and
on the sentiments and conduct of the respective controversialists. It would be
unwise and unwarrantable to revive the theme. “ One is taken and the other is
left.” One hath long ceased from combat in the church militant on earth, where
his services oftentimes were pre-eminent and invaluable, and left the world
amidst innumerable and unfeigned regrets on his sudden and premature removal;
and, in the recollection of his great and various excellences and achievements,
every intermingling imperfection ought to be allowed to fade from remembrance.
Aqd the other, meek and magnanimous in endurance, patient and diligent in
tribulation, outliving every calumny, and stilling every reproach in peaceful and
ceaseless devotedness to his sacred office, hath long emerged from the momentary
obscuration hastily and prejudicially thrown over him, to dim the lustre of
his genuine excellences ; and he walks in the sphere of his extensive usefulness,
in the universal recognition and esteem of his professional talents and attainments,
and in the especial reverence and love of his enlightened and affectionate
people?
From his earliest appearance in public life, Mr. Grey espoused the interests
and policy of the popular (and now dominant) party of the Church of Scotland.
His civil political predilections are equally well known. On the visit of Earl
Grey to Edinburgh, in 1834, Mr. Grey was present at the Festival, on the 15th
of September, in honour of the patriotic character and political services of this
venerated nobleman, and officiated as chaplain on that memorable occasion.
Earl Grey sojourned, while in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, with Sir John
Hamilton Dalrymple, Bart., at Oxenford Castle, and Mr. Grey was requested
to preach in the parish church of Cranstoun on the following Sunday, which
invitation he complied with, much to the expressed gratification of the venerable
and illustrious statesman.
In October 1808 hlr. Grey was married to his cousin, Miss Margaretta
Grey, daughter of George Grey, Esq., of Sandy House, Northumberland-a
lady of superior intellectual endowments, and various literary attainments.
Their family consisted of three daughters and two sons : their eldest son, late
of Cambridge University, joined the ministry of the Church of England.
These remarks had reference to Mr. Grey while still alive. Having left the Establishment
in 1843, at the time of the Disruption, he was appointed minister of Free St.-Mary‘s Church (then
in Barony Street), and he died in 1859.

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. most undue magnitude in public contemplation, and excited every variety of sentiment ...

Book 9 p. 613
(Score 0.36)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 429
booty. “DO ye no see what I’m about 1’’ answered the fellow with the utmost
assurance : “ nae doubt ye’ll be some o1 the understrappers frae the big
house!” Amused at the surpassing nonchalance of the rustic, “What if
Maule were to come upon you 1” said his lordship, with difficulty maintaining
a sufficient gravity of countenance. “Hout, man, he ,wadna say a wordthere’s
no a bet,ter hearted gentleman in a’ the country ; but as I’m in a hurry,
I wish you would lend me a hand, man.” To this Panmure good-humouredly
agreed ; and when the tree had been securely placed on the cart, the jolly
peasant proposed rewarding his assistant with a dram in a neighbouring alehouse.
To this his lordship would not accede, but invited the youth to call next day
at the Castle, where, by asking for Jamie the footman, he would be sure to find
him, and be treated to a glass out of his own bottle. The countryman called
according to promise ; but his confusion and astonishment may be guessed,
when, instead of meeting Jamie the footman, he was ushered, with great ceremony,
into the presence of Lord Panmure and a company of gentlemen. “My
man,” said his lordship, walking up to him, “next time you go to cut wood, I
would advise you first to ask Illaule’s permission.” With this gentle reprimand
he dismissed the terrified depredator, though not without having given instructions
that he should be well entertained in the hall.
In imitation of some of our Scottish Kings, Maule occasionally amused himself
by visiting his tenantry in the character of a mendicant, so disguised that
it was impossible they could recognise him. He thus became minutely acquainted
with the character and habits of a class of people in whom he was
deeply interested. Entering a hamlet, in the course of his excursions, on the
borders of Forfarshire, one very cold and wet evening, he sought shelter in the
house of an old woman, who was busy at her wheel, for the spinning-jenny had
not then entirely expelled that useful instrument of industry from the cottage
ingle. With the accustomed hospitality of our rural population, the “ Gaberlunzie-
man” was welcomed to a share of the hearth; but he was no sooner
seated than he began to grumble at the small fire that burned slowly in the halfempty
grate. The woman assured him there was no more fuel in the house ;
and as she marvelled at the impertinent manner of the sturdy-looking beggar,
her terror and amazement may be conceived, when starting to his feet, and exclaiming--“
I’ll’soon make a fire,” he laid hold of the wheel ; and, in spite of
threats, remonstrances, and the personal opposition which a sense of wrong inspired
her with strength and courage to offer, first the rock, with the ‘‘wee
pickle tow ”-next the wheel-and lastly, the whole body of the frame-at
once her pride and her means of livelihood-were crackling in the flames, and
spreading a light and a warmth unknown to the cottage. Having thoroughly
warmed himself, and when the rage and imprecations of the old woman were
nearly spent with their own violence, Maule took his departure, but not without
leaving a benison, in the shape of a well-filled purse, which amply reconciled
her to the destruction of her property.
The liberality of his disposition frequently relieved the “ Generous Sports

... SKETCHES. 429 booty. “DO ye no see what I’m about 1’’ answered the fellow with the ...

Book 9 p. 574
(Score 0.36)

410 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
the army at an early period, and was present at the siege of Havannah in 1762.
In 1803, shortly after the Fencible regiments were disbanded, Major Clarkson
obtained the majority of the Berwickshire Militia, which commission he held
till his death, which took place in 1811 or 1812. His daughter, an only child,
married Lieutenant Norton of the Royals; and the wife of Mr. Sinclair, the
vocalist, is the offspring of that marriage.’
No. CLXI.
MR. JOHN ADARIS,
NASTER OF THE ROYAL RIDING MENAGE.
MR. ADAMS, who is here represented in the uniform of the Royal Mid-Lothian
Volunteer Cavalry, originally belonged to the 16th Light Dragoons, of which
regiment he was Quartermaster. He was subsequently a Lieutenant of the
Cinque Port Light Dragoons, commanded by the Earl of Liverpool, then
Colonel Jenkinson ; which corps was embodied in 1794, and had their colours
presented, in a field before Walmer Castle, the seat of the Lord Warden of the
Cinque Ports, by Lord Viscount Melville, then Mr. Secretary Dundas.
In 1797 Mr. Adams was brought to Edinburgh for the purpose of drilling
and organising the Mid-Lothian Cavalry, then about to be formed; and to
which regiment he was appointed adjutant. The duties of this situation he
discharged to the entire satisfaction of that highly respectable corps ; and when
old Tremamondo retired from the Riding-School,’ he was chosen his successor.
He died at the premature
age of forty-six, on the 18th of May 1804. His remains were interred in the
Greyfriars Churchyard with military honours-a company of the Edinburgh
Volunteers forming the firing party.
Adams was succeeded by Colonel Letham, whose son, Captain Letham,
afterwards held the appointment.
Mr. Adams did not long enjoy the Mastership.
1 A daughter of Mr. and Nrs. Sinclair was married, 23d June 1837, to Mr. Forrest, the celebrated
American tragedian.
a “he Riding-School was established in 1763, and Mr. Angelo wra the first master.-In a periodical
work of that year we find the following notice of the institution :-“A branch of education, not
formerly taught in this country, is lately established at Edinburgh-homemanship, or the art of
riding. For the purpose, a menage is erected by subscription ; and, at a general meeting, held 12th
December, the ordinary directors having reported that the building of the Riding-School and stables
was nearly finished, and that a sufficient number of homes, both foreign and English, was provided,
and several of them properly dressed by Mr. Angelo, it was agreed that the menage should be opened
for the reception of scholars on the first Monday of January. Each scholar pays four guineas the
first month, and two guineas every other month ; sixteen teaching days in the month. Gentlemen,
whose business will not allow them to attend regularly, get sixteen tickets for amonth, and pay three
guineas for the fist month, and two pounds six shillings for every other month.”

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. the army at an early period, and was present at the siege of Havannah in 1762. In ...

Book 8 p. 569
(Score 0.36)

YAMES VI. TO RESTORATION OF CHARLES Ir. 87
the Nether Bow to be repaired-bonfires--“a propyne of ane jowell to the Quenis
grace,” &c. &c.
The King and Queen at length arrived at Leith on the 1st of May 1590, and remained
in “the King’s work there” till the 6th of the month, while the Palace of Holyrood was
getting ready. On the 17th of May the Queen was crowned in Holyrood Abbey, Mr
Robert Bruce pouring upon her breast bonye quantitie of oyll,” and “Mr Andro
Meluene, principal1 of the Colledge of the Theolloges, making ane oratione in tua hunder
Lateine verse !”
The second day they at length entered the capital, the manner of approaching which
from the Palace is worthy of notice, as a key to the usual route pursued on similar
occasions. <(At her comming to the south side of the yardes of the Canogit, along the
parke wall, being in sight of the Castle, they gave her thence a great voley of shot, with
their banners and ancient displays upon the walls.
where she was received with a Latin oration, EO that the royal procession must have skirted
along the whole line of the more modern city wall, where Lauriston now is. At the West
Port they were welcomed with even more than the usual costly display. The same variety
of allegories and ingenious devices had been prepared. An angel presented the keys to her
Majesty ; she rode in a chariot drawn by eight horses, decorated with velvet trappings,
richly embroidered with gold and silver, and was attended by sixty youths, as Moors, with
chains about their necks, and gorgeously apparelled with jewels and ornaments of gold.
The nine muses received them at the Butter Trone, with very excellent singing of psalms.
At the Cross she had another ‘( verie good psalme,” and then entered St Giles’s Church,
where a sermon was preached before their Majesties. Numerous allegories, goddesses, Christian
virtues, and the like, followed. Indeed, from the inventory furnished by a poet of the
period, the wide range of classic fancy would seem to have been ransacked for the
occasion :-
Thence she came to the West Port,”
To recreat hir hie renoun,
Of curious things thair wes all sort,
The stairs and houses of the toun
With Tapestries were spred athort,
Quhair Histories men micht behauld,
With Images and Anticks add.
It written wes with stories mae,
How VENTS, with a thuodring thud,
Inclos’d ACEATEaSn d ENAE,
Within a mekill mistie dud :
And how fair ANNA, wondrous wraith,
Deplors hir sister Dmoa daith.
Ixron that the quheill dois tarne
In Hell, that ugly hole, 80 mirk ;
And EBOSTRAqTuVha~ did b m e
The costly fair EPHESIAKNir k :
And BLIADESq, uho falls in aouo
With drawing buckets up and down.
* .. t
* *
1 Xarriage of James VI., Bann. Club, p. 39.

... VI. TO RESTORATION OF CHARLES Ir. 87 the Nether Bow to be repaired-bonfires--“a propyne of ane jowell to ...

Book 10 p. 95
(Score 0.36)

104 BI 0 GRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
No. XLIX.
BAILIE JAMES DICKSON
AND
BAILIE JAMES TORRY.
THE first of these city dignitaries, MR. JAMES DICKSON, was for a long
time a bookseller and stationer in Edinburgh. His shop was on the west side
of the front of the Royal Exchange entry, and was much frequented by clerical
gentlemen, Mr. Dickson himself having been a licentiate of the Presbytery of
Edinburgh. In early life, like many others of our “ Scottish probationers,” he
was glad to shelter himself under the wing of a patron, by undertaking to
perform the duties of preceptor to the family of James Kerr, Esq. of Boughtrigg,’
jeweller, who represented the city of Edinburgh in Parliament from
1747 to 1754, with a very small salary; but having a counterbalancing
equivalent in the promise of the first church vacancy that Mr. Kerr could
procure for him, The death of this gentleman, however (in 1765), entirely
destroyed the young probationer’s hopes. He therefore bethought himself of a
lay profession, and commenced business as a bookseller, which he carried on
with very considerable success. Mr. Dickson was elected a member of Town
Council, as kirk treasurer, in 1774 j and from that period till 1786, we find his
name repeatedly mentioned in the list of “ Magistrates and Town Council of
Edinburgh,” as well as in the annals of the “ Chamber of Commerce.” Bailie
Dickson was married to a sister of the famous Admiral Greig.* None of his
1 Mr. Kerr was married to a daughter of Lord Charles Kerr, consequently connected with the
Lothian family.
a Sir Samuel Greig was born at Inverkeithing, county of Fife, in 1735. He was a lieutenant in
the British Navy at the time he was sent, among others, at the request of tbe Court of Russia, to
improve the marine of that country, which was then in a despicable condition. He was soon made a
Captain, and from his great services in the war which ensued against the Turks, under Count Orlow,
owing principally to which their whole fleet was destroyed at the Island of Scio, he was appointed
Commodore, then Admiral ; and not long afterwards the Empress rewarded his services by promoting
him to be Admiral of all the Russias, and Governor of Cronstadt. Be had also conferred on him the
different honours of the empire, viz. :-St. Andrew, St. Alexander Newsky, St. George, etc. He died
at Revel of a fever, on the 26th October 1788, shortly after his engagement with the Swedish fleet in
the Black Sea, and waa interred on the 5th December following, with all the pomp and splendour
which the Empress or the empire could bestow. Sir Samuel visited his native country in 1777, on
which occasion the Empress ordered a man-of-war to be fitted out for his conveyance. He arrived
in Edinburgh on the 20th of August, where he waa received with every demon8tration of respect.
“ On Thursday, October 2, the Empress of Russia’s birthday, the Russian frigate in Leith Roads fired
a round of twenty-one guns, which was answered by the same number from the Castle of Edinburgh,
and on that occasion the Admiral gave a grand entertainment in Fortune’s tavern, to the Prince

... BI 0 GRAPHICAL SKETCHES. No. XLIX. BAILIE JAMES DICKSON AND BAILIE JAMES TORRY. THE first of these city ...

Book 8 p. 151
(Score 0.35)

146 OLD AND NET
into the royal presence, the king became alarmed,
and retired into the Tolbooth, amid shouts of
?? &ly !? .? Save yourself !? ?Armour ! Armour !?
When the deputation returned to the portion of
St. Giles?s absurdly named the little kirk, they found
another multitude listening to the harangue of a
clergyman named Michael Cranston, on the text of
? Hamanand Mordecai.? The auditors, on hearing
that the king had retired without any explanation,
now rush?ed forth, and with shouts of ?Bring out
the wicksd Haman !? endeavoured to batter down
the doors of the Tolbooth,? from which James was
glad to make his escape to Holyrood, swearing he
would uproot Edinburgh, and salt its site !
This disturbance, which Tytler details in his
History, was one which had no definite or decided
purpose-one of the few in Scottish annals where
The species of spire or lantern formed by groined
ribs of stone, which forms the most remarkable
feature in the venerable church, seems to be. pecumonarch
to show his gratitude by attention to
the cause of religion, and his care of the new
Subjects committed to his care.
The king now rose, and addressed the people
from whom he was about to part in a very warm
and affectionate strain. He bade them a long
adieu with much tenderness, promised to keep
them and their best interests in fond memory
during his absence, ?and often to visit them and
communicate to them marks of his bounty when
in foreign parts, as ample as any which he had
been used to bestow when present with? them.
A mixture of approbation and weeping,? says
Scott in his History, ?followed this speech; and
the good-natured king wept plentifully himself at
taking leave of his native subjects.?
The north transept of the church long bore the
queer name of Haddo?s Hole, because a famous
cavalier, Sir John Gordon of Haddo-who defended
his castle of Kelly against the Covenanters,
and loyally served King Charles 1.-was imprisoned
there for some time before his execution at the
adjacent cross in 1644.
high alm) was ordered to be cast-into cannon
for the town walls, instead of which they were sold
for Azzo. Maitland further records that two of
the remaining bells were re-cast at Campvere in
1621 ; one of these was again recast at London in
1846. ?
In 1585 the Town Council purchased the clock
belonging to the abbey church of Lindores in
Fifeshire, and placed it in the tower of St. Giles?s,
? previous to which time,? says Wilson, ? the
citizens probably regulated time chiefly by the
bells for matins and vespers, and the other daily
services of the Roman Catholic Church.?
In I 68 I we first find mention of the musical bells
in the spire. Fountainhall records, with reference
to the legacy left to the city by Thomas Moodie, the
Council propose ?to buy with it a peal of bells, to
hang in St. Giles?s steeple, to ring musically, and
to build a Tolbooth above the West Port of Edinburgh,
and put Thomas Moodie?s nanie and arms
thereon.?
When the precincts of St. Giles?s church were
secularised, the edifice became degraded, about
. -

... OLD AND NET into the royal presence, the king became alarmed, and retired into the Tolbooth, amid shouts ...

Book 1 p. 146
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402 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Soon after he began business, a circumstance occurred, which not only tended
to increase his professional fame, but proved the origin of no less an incident
in his domestic history than that of “setting up a carriage.” One day Mr.
James Dempster, jeweller in the Parliament Square, after a fit of hard drinking,
threatened, in the company of some of his cronies, to cut his own throat.
One of the individuals present (Mr. Hamilton of Wishaw), a gentleman of
very convivial habits, jocularly said--“I will Bave you that trouble;” and,
suiting the action to the word, advanced with a knife in a threatening attitude
towards the jeweller, and very nearly converted jest into earnest, by accidentally
making a severe incision. Hamilton, in a state of great alarm, instantly sent
for Mr. Bennet, who closed up the wound, and afterwards effected a rapid cure
of his patient. Mr. Hamilton was so much satisfied with the important service
rendered on this occasion, that he presented Mr. Bennet with an elegant
chariot.
of a well-bred
gentleman, and was accustomed to mix in the best society. With the
late Duke of Gordon (then Marquis of Huntly), Made of Panmure (Lord
Panmure), and many other persons of family, he was on terms of intimacy.
He is accused of having occasionally indulged in those excesses and frolics
which, some thirty years ago, were deemed extremely fashionable. On one
occasion, having lost a sporting bet for “dinner and drink,” Mr. Bennet
entertained his friends in a house of good cheer at Leith. It had been a
condition of the wager that the party should be taken to the theatre at
night at the expense of the loser. After dinner Mr. Bennet caused the wine,
as well as a more stimulating beverage, to be pretty freely circulated; so
that the wassailers were soon, according to the notions of the Indians, in a
“state of perfect happiness.” At the hour appointed, instead of the common
hackney conveyances, a number of mourning coaches drew up, in which
the revellers seated themselves, and were driven to the theatre in slow time,
amid the wonderment of a numerous crowd, who were no less astonished at
the mirth of the mourners than amazed at the place where the procession
halted.
These and other unprofessional frolics did not injure Mr. Bennet in his
career ; on the contrary, they rather tended to increase his celebrity. He was
appointed Surgeon to the Garrison of Edinburgh Castle in 1791 ; and elected
President of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1803. And such was his status
among the citizens in 1805, that, when the volunteer corps called the “ Loyal
Edinburgh Spearmen” were embodied, he held the honourable commission of
Lieut.-Colonel Commandant of the regiment.
This band of citizen warriors had their stand of colours delivered to them
on the 12th of August, in Heriot’s Hospital Green. We quote the following
brief account of it :-
Mr. Bennet possessed the polish and pleasant manners
“The colours were presented by Mra. Bennet, the Colonel’s lady, and Miss Scott of Logie, with
an appropriate speech from each ; and consecrated by the Rev. Mr. Brunton, one of the ministem

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Soon after he began business, a circumstance occurred, which not only tended to ...

Book 8 p. 560
(Score 0.35)

156 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
of ropes and a ball, completed their equipment. Besides enjoying a species of
monopoly within the city, they formed themselves into a Society, the entry money
to which was jive pounds, and the quarterly dues 3s. 6d. This high rate was
no doubt suggested from exclusive motives. As the city increased, many new
sweepers had commenced on their own account in the suburbs, and not a few
had been admitted to participate in the privileges of the Don-men ; although
the annual allowance of a guinea continued to be limited to the original number ;
and, as a distinguishing mark, none but the twelve were permitted to wear the
broad bonnet.
The Society of Tron-men, like most other exclusive bodies, were not without
entertaining a due estimate of their own importance and respectability. As an
instance, one of the members-Robert Hunter-was expelled the Society, and
virtually banished to Leith for the space of five years, for having brought
dishonour on the fraternity, by assisting the authorities at the execution of
Captain Ogilvie-the paramour of the celebrated Catharine Nairne-on the 13th
November 1765.
After his condemnation, every exertion was made by the friends of the
Captain to procure a reversal of the sentence, by an appeal to the House of
Lords. The competency of such a proceeding had not then been finally settled ;
and, with the view of giving time for considering the question, four successive
reprieves were obtained for the prisoner-the first three for fourteen days, and
the last for seven. He was then warned to prepare for death, an appeal from
the High Court of Justiciary having been deemed irregular by the officers of
the Crown. Finding all other means of escape impossible, the Captain’s friends
contrived to bribe the finisher of the law ; in the fallacious belief that if the
rope failed he could not legally be thrown off a second time. Accordingly, on
the day of execution, no sooner had the culprit been turned off than “ the noose
of the rope slipped, and he fell to the ground.” The Captain was immediately
laid hold of; but he resisted with great vigour. By the “ assistance of the city
servants,” he was again dragged up the ladder and despatched.’ As one of the
“ city servants,” Hunter had rendered essential aid, for which, as affirmed, he
received a reward of five pounds ; and his conduct having been greatly censured
by his brethren of the Tron, he was expelled the Society in the manner already
described. Hunter died about 1812.
When the City Guard-House was demolished in 1785, the Tron-men, along
with the Guard, were accommodated in the Old Assembly Rooms-a part of
the premises being appropriated for their use, to which they entered from Bell’s
Wynd. Owing to the great increase of the city, and sundry other causes, the
chimney-sweepers began to feel the attendance exacted from them extremely
This is not the only instance in which the non-men were associated with the common executioner
in the performance of his duty. In 1746, when the standards belonging to the army of Prince
Charles were publicly burned at the Cross, by order of the Duke of Cumberland, they were carried
in procession from the Castle by the hangman and thirteen chimney-sweepers. The standards were
destroyed one by one, a herald proclaiming to whom they respectively belonged.

... BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. of ropes and a ball, completed their equipment. Besides enjoying a species of monopoly ...

Book 9 p. 209
(Score 0.35)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 331
No. CCLXXXL
REV. JOHN M'DONALD,
OF THE GAELIC CHAPEL, CASTLE WYND, EDINBURGH.
MR. M'DONALD, son of a small farmer at Rae, in Caithness, was born there
on the 12th of November 1779. Having acquired the rudiments of education
at the parish school, he commenced his theological studies at King's College,
Aberdeen, in 1797, and was licensed to preach in 1805. For some time thereafter
he was employed as a missionary in his native district ; and in 1807 was
chosen successor to the Rev. Mr. M'Lachlan in the Gaelic Chapel, Edinburgh.
Here he continued about six years, and was greatly esteemed by his congregation
as a sound preacher and an amiable man.
In July 2813 he was translated to the parish of Urquhart, where he long
continued to discharge the duties of the pastoral office. In his zeal for the cause
of the Gospel, Mr. M'Donald was in the habit of making occasional excursions
into the adjacent parishes, onlitting no opportunity of preaching to a widely-scattered
and ill-supplied people. In doing so he probably had not calculated on the
danger to which he exposed himself, by exciting the displeasure of the Church.
The Presbyteries of Strathbogie and Aberlour took up the matter ; but refusing
to bow to their decision, or to acknowledge his error, an appeal was of course
made to a higher court. The case, which was brought before the General
Assembly in 1818, created an unusual interest in the public mind. After a
protracted discussion, a motion to the following effect was made and carried :--
" That having considered the reference [from the Presbyteries of Strathbogie and Aberlour],
the Assembly declare, as it is hereby declared, that the performance of divine service, or any
part of public worship or service, by members of this Church, in meeting-houses of dissenters,'
is irregular and unconstitutional, and ought on no occasion to take place, except in cases in
which, from the peculiar circumstances of the parish, its minister may occasionally find it necessary
for conducting the ordinaly religious instruction of his people ; and the Assembly farther
declare, that the conduct of any minister of the Church, who exercises his pastoral functions iu
a vagrant manner, preaching during his journeys from place to place, in the open air, in other
parishes than his own, or officiating in any meeting for religious exercises, without the special
invitation of the minister in whose parish it shall be held, and by whom such meeting shall
be called, is disorderly, and unbecoming the character of a minister of this Church, and calculated
to weaken the hands of the minister of the parish, and to injure the interests of sound
religion ; and the Assembly enjoin Presbyteries to take order, that no countenance be given by
ministers within their bounds to such occasional meetings, proposed to be held for divine service,
or other pious purposee, as many, under the pretext of promoting religion, injure its interests,
and so disturb the peace and order of the Church ; and in case such meetings take place, the
Presbyteries within whose bounds they are held, are enjoined to report the same to the Assembly
next ensuing."
Mr. M'Donald preached in a dissenting meeting-house on one occasion, and but one, at a time
when the parish church was under repair, and not even then without the consent of the parochial
miniater.

... SKETCHES. 331 No. CCLXXXL REV. JOHN M'DONALD, OF THE GAELIC CHAPEL, CASTLE WYND, ...

Book 9 p. 441
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 213
marching a short distance along the coast. This they accomplished in doublequick
time, without having almost ever seen the face of an enemy. At St. Cas
Howe had every thing in readiness, so that not a moment was lost, the troops
entering the boats just as they arrived on the beach. Lord Adam Gordon
greatly distinguished himself by bringing up the rear of the troops, and
resolutely retarding the advanae of the enemy. The embarkation took place
on the 11th September, thus finishing, almost without bloodshed, the long
campaign of seven days !
Lord Adam Gordon next became Colonel of the 66th Regiment of Foot, and
served for several years in America. He returned in 1765, having been
entrusted by the heads of the Colonies with a statement of their grievances.
Lord Adam had a long conference with the Secretaries of State j but his mission
was not productive of any favourable result. In 1775, he was appointed
Colonel of the 26th, or Cameronian Regiment; and, in 1782, was made Governor
of Tynemouth Castle.
Lord Adam sat in Parliament for many years, having been' first returned for
the county of Aberdeen in 1754. He afterwards'represented the county of
Kincardine from 1774 till 1788, when he vacated his seat, and was next year
appointed to the command of the Forces in Scotland. Lord Adam thereupon
took up his residence in Holyrood Palace, which he caused to be materially
repaired ; but displayed very questionable taste in having all the oak carvings
painted white !
While Commander-in-Chief, Lord Adam frequently amused himself by
reviewing those domestic warriors, the Edinburgh Volunteers, and the other
defensive bands which the emergencies of the country had called into existence.
He also had the honour of presenting a set of colours to a battalion of the Scots
Brigade. The ceremony took place in George Square, on the 19th of
June 1795. Lord Adam, who was then a very old man, addressed the corps
in the following terms :-" General Dundas, and officers of the Scots Brigade,
-1 have the honour to present these colours to you j and I am very happy
in having this opportunity of expressing my wishes that the Brigade may
continue, by their good conduct, to merit the approbation of our gracious
Sovereign, and to maintain that reputation which all Europe knows that old and
respectable corps have most deservedly enjoyed." This oration was received
with great applause, and the veterans were visibly affected.
Lord Adam resigned the command, in 1798, in favour of Sir Ralph
Abercromby, and retired to his seat of "The Burn," in the county of
Kincardine, where he died suddenly on the 13th August 1801, in consequence
of inflammation produced by drinking lemonade while over-heated.
His lordship married in London, in 1776, Jane, daughter of John Drummond,
Esq. of Megginch, in the county of Perth, the widow of James, second Duke of
Atholl, but had no issue.' Her Grace died at Holyrood pause, on the 22d
February 1795.
1 It waa on the Duchess that the song-beginning, " For lack of gold "-was composed.

... SKETCHES. 213 marching a short distance along the coast. This they accomplished in doublequick time, ...

Book 8 p. 300
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E CCL ESIA S TICA L A NTIQ UITIES. 379
Edinburgh, in the reign of David I. and long afterwards, was, as we have already shown,
no more than an assemblage of rude huts, constructed in full anticipation of their falling
a prey to the torch of the southern invaders. Froissart represents the Scots exclaiming
more than two centuries later, “ thoughe the Englishe brinne our houses, we care lytell
therefore; we shall make them agayne chepe ynongh! ” Nevertheless, it is to David I.
that Edinburgh owes its earliest improvement and much of its future prosperity. He was
the first monarch who made the Castle of Edinburgh his chief residence; and by his
munificent monastic foundation in its neighbourhood, he made it the centre towards which
the wealth of the adjacent country flowed, and thereby erected it into the capital of the
Lothians centuries before it assumed its position as the capital of the kingdom. It
cannot, therefore, surprise us to discover evidence of the rebuilding of the Parish Church
of Edinburgh about the period of his accession to the throne ; and we accordingly find
that some beautiful remains of the original edifice, somewhat -earlier in style than the
oldest portions of the Abbey Church of Holyrood, were only destroyed about the middle
of last century.
The annexed vignette, copied from a very rare print, represents a beautiful Norman doorway
which formed the entrance to the nave of St Giles’s Church on the north side, and was
only demolished about the year 1760. It stood immediately below the third window from
the west, within the line of the external wall.
access to it was obliterated in the alterations
of 1829. This fragment sufliciently enables us
to picture the little Parish Church of St Giles
in the reign of David I. Built in the massive
style of the early N0rma.n period, it would
consist simply .of a nave and chancel united
by a rich Norman chancel arch; altogether
occupying only a portion of the centre aisle
of the present nave. Small circular-headed
windows, decorated with zig-zag mouldings,
would admit the light to its sombre interior;
while its west front was in all probability
surmounted by a simple belfry, from whence
the bell would daily summon the natives of
the hamlet to matins and vespers, and with
slow measured sounds toll their knell as they
were lain in the neighbouring churchyard.
A plain round archway that had given
This ancient church was never entirely demolished. Its solid masonry was probably very
partially affected by the ravages of the invading forces of Edward IL, in 1322, when
Holyrood was spoiled; or by those of his son in 1335, when the whole country was wasted
with fire and sword. The town was again subjected to the like violence, probably with
results little more lasting, by the conflagration in 1385, when the English army under
Richard IL occupied the town for five days, and then laid it and the Abbey of Holyrood
in ashes. The Norman architecture disappeared piece-meal, as chapels and aisles were
added to the original fabric by the piety of private donors, or by the zeal of its own

... CCL ESIA S TICA L A NTIQ UITIES. 379 Edinburgh, in the reign of David I. and long afterwards, was, as we have ...

Book 10 p. 416
(Score 0.35)

B I0 GR AP €I I GAL S H ET C H E S. 263
by order of the guard, placed it in a cart, and drove at a furious rate round
the back of the castle.” The object of this order was probably an idea that
the jolting motion of the cart might be the means of resuscitation, as had once
actually happened in the case of the celebrated “ half-hangit Maggie Dickson.” ‘
The body was afterwards conveyed to one of Brodie’s own workshops in the
Lawnmarket, where Degravers was in attendance. He attempted bleeding, etc.,
but all would not do ; Brodie “ was fairly gone.”
Before closing our memoir of Deacon Brodie, it may not be uninteresting
to give one or two extracts from those letters which proved the means of his
discovery. In one addressed to his relative, Mr. Sherriff, he says, -“ My stock
is seven guineas, but by the time I reach Ostend it will be reduced to six. My
wardrobe is all on my back, excepting two check shirts and two white ones.
My coat out at the arms and elbows.” In another addressed to Henderson,
dated April 10, he writes-“ I arrived in London on the 13th March, where I
remained until the 23d, snug and safe in the house of an old female friend,
within five hundred yards of Bow Street, I did not keep the house all this time,
but so altered, excepting the scar under my eye, I think you could not have Tapt
(swore) to me. I saw Mr. Williamson twice ; but although countrymen usually
shake hands when they meet from home, yet I did not choose to make so free
with him, notwithstanding he brought n letter to me. My female gave me great
uneasiness by introducing a flash man to me, but she assured me he was a true
man; and he proved himself so, notwithstanding the great reward, and was
useful to me. I saw my picture (his description in the newspapers) six hours
before, exhibited to public view ; and my intelligence of what was doing at Bow
Street Office was as good as ever I had in Edinburgh. I make no doubt but
that designing villain Brown is in high favour with Mr. Cockburn (the Sheriff),
for I can see some strokes of his pencil in my portrait. Write me how the main
went*-how you came on in it-if my black cock fought and gained,” etc.
Here we have the mind of Brodie strongly imbued with his ruling passion for
gambling. Immediately the recollection of his unhappy situation conjures up
matter of serious reflection. He feelingly alludes to his children-“They will
miss me more,” says he, “than any other in Scotland. May God in His infinite
goodness stir up some friendly aid for their support, for it is not in my power
at present to give them any assistance. Yet I think they will not absolutely
starve in a Christian land, where their father once had friends, and who was
always liberal to the distressed.” He then states his intention of proceeding to
some part of North America, probably to Philadelphia or New ‘York, and
desires that his working tools might be purchased for him, and forwarded to
either of these places, adding, that although it is hard to begin labour at my ,
This woman had been executed for child-murder, and her body delivered to her relatives for
interment, who put it in a cart to transport it a few miles out of town. Strange to say, half the
journey was not accomplished, when, to the consternation of those present, the poor woman revived.
she lived afterwads several years, and bore two children to her husband.
2 He was passionately fond of cock-fighting.

... I0 GR AP €I I GAL S H ET C H E S. 263 by order of the guard, placed it in a cart, and drove at a furious rate ...

Book 8 p. 367
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ST LEONARD’S, ST MARY’S WYND, AND CO WGATE. 321
character, and with a shield in the centre, the armorial bearings of which have been
replaced by a brewer’s barrel, the device of its modern owner and occupant. We have
found, on examining ancient charters and title-deeds referring to property in the Cowgate,
much greater difliculty in assigning the exact tenements referred to, from the absence of
such marked and easily recognisable features as serve for a guide in the Bigh Street and
Canongate. All such evidence, however, tends to prove that the chief occupants of this
ancient thoroughfare were eminent for rank and station, and their dwellings appear to
have been chiefly in the front street, showing that, with patrician exclusiveness, traders
were forbid to open their booths within its dignified precincts. Another feature, no less
noticeable, is the extensive possessions which the Church held within its bounds. An
ancient land, for example, which occupied the site of one now standing at the foot of
Blair Street, on the west side, is described in the titles of the adjoining property as pertaining
to the Altar of St Katharine, in the Kirk-of-Field. In 1494, Walter Bertram,
Provost of Edinburgh, bestowed an annual rent from his tenement in the Cowgate “to a
chaplain of St Lawrence’s Altar, in St Giles’ Church.” In 1528, Wm. Chapman “ mortified
to a chaplain in St Giles’ Kirk, at Jesus’ Altar, in a chapel built by himself,” a
tenement and piece of ground in the same street, reserving to ye patrons yrof 26s. 8d.
for repairing the chapel with skletts and glass.” Both Walter Chepman and Thomas
Cameron have already-been named aa similar donors. We shall only notice one more
from the same source :-“A mortification made be Janet Remedy, Lady Bothwell, who
was before spouse to Archibald Earl of Angus, mortefeing to a chaplain in the Marie
Kirk in the Field, beside Edinburgh, her fore land of umqle Hew Berries tenement, and
chamber adjacent y’to, lying in the Cowgait, on the south side of the street, betwixt Ja.
Earl of Buchan’s land on the east, and Thos. Tod’s on ye west.”l We have dready
referred to U the Erle of Maris, now present Regent, lugeing in the Kowgait,’Pin 1572,”
and other eminent laymen will presently appear among the residenters in this patrician
quarter of the town.
The destruction of an ancient tenement in the Cowgate, in the month of June 1787,
when clearing the ground for the building of the South Bridge, brought to light some
curious memorials of an earlier age. The workmen employed in its demolition discovered
a cavity containing a quantity of money for the reception of which it appeared to have
been constructed. The treasure was found, on examination, to consist of a number of
small coins of Edward L commonly called Longshanks, who, in the year 1295, defeated
the Scots at Dunbar, and soon after compelled the Castle of Edinburgh to surrender to his
.
A perfect inventar of Pious Donations. MS. Advocated KO., Diurnal of Occurrenta, p, 299.
2s

... LEONARD’S, ST MARY’S WYND, AND CO WGATE. 321 character, and with a shield in the centre, the armorial ...

Book 10 p. 349
(Score 0.35)

322 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Arthur?s Seat
simultaneously halted, and the royal salute given, 1 the hour of need, of the freedom and integrity of
caught up by the crowds on the hill, and rolled
back fo the plain, again .and again to burst forth
with redoubled energy, until it merges into one
the silent grandeur of the scene, broken only by
the National Anthem, sent a thrill of heart-stirring
awe through the assembled multitude. But on a
sudden the death-like silence is broken, and the
pent-up enthusiasm of the Volunteers breaks forth
like the bursting of some vast reservoir. A cheer,
such as only Britons have in them to give, goes
forth with the full power of 22,000 loyal throatsa
cheer such as old Holyrood never heard before,
Castle, August 26th, ?the spectacle yesterday
presented to her Majesty was an admirable
sequel to the great review held recently at
the empire.??
On the sameground, in August 1881, and before
a vast multitude, Her Majesty reviewed a force of
40,000 Scottish Volunteers. So many men under
arms had not been massed together in Scotland
since James IV. marched to Flodden. ? Although
unhappily marred by continuous rain,? says the
Duke of Cambridge?s order, dated Edinburgh
est accident occurred, and
the slopes of the great hills were bared of their
multitudes as if by magic. The great review
was over, and in due time came the following order
from the Adjutant-General Sir J. Yorke Scarlett :-
?Horse Guards, August Ioth, 1860.
? The Adjutant-General has received the Queen?s
commands to convey her thanks .to the several
corps of Artillery and Rifle Volunteers assembled
at Edinburgh on the 7th instant, and to assure
them of the satisfaction and gratification with
which Her Majesty beheld the magnificent spectacle
presented to her.
I? Her Majesty could not see without admiration
the soldier-like bearing of the different corps as
they passed before her ; and she finds in the high
state of efficiency to which they have attained in
an incredibly short space of time another proof
that she may at all times surely rely on the loyalty
and patriotism of her people for the defence, in
donald; and perhaps
none were more applauded in the march past than
the London Scottish, led by Lord Elcho. The bands
of the Black Watch and 5th Fusileers were placed
beside the saluting post, whereon was hoisted the
royal standard, as borne in Scotland, the lion
rampant being first and fourth in the quarterings.
Undeterred by the incessant deluge of rain, the
Queen remained till the last, and so did the rest of
the royal party; but even ere the second division
had defiled before her the vast slopes of Arthur?s
Seat had been greatly denuded of spectators, ? and
the great mass of umbrellas slipped down and
gathered about the Holyrood gates, egress through
which was still denied,? owing to certain instructions
adapted evidently to a fair-weather gathering.
It was greatly to the credit of theseScottish troops,
and a proof of their excellent discipline, that to the ,
very close of that trying and harassing day, their
behaviour was quiet, orderly, and admirable to the
last, and not a single accident occurred.

... OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Arthur?s Seat simultaneously halted, and the royal salute given, 1 the hour of need, ...

Book 4 p. 322
(Score 0.35)

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